Filing system for correspondence and the like.



w. WHITMAN. FILING SYSTEM FOR CORRESPONDENCE AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, l9l7.

Patented Nov. 2?, 1917.

WILLIAM WHITMAN,

OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

FILING SYSTEM FOR CORRESPONDENCE AND THE LIKE.

Application filed March 9, 1917.

T0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM Nriicrimn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Reading, in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Filing Systems for Correspondence and the like, of which thev following is a specification.

My invention relates to filing systems for correspondence or the like, and my object is to provide a numerical index that will act as a check or substitute for the alphabetical index commonly employed. My improvements consist in using the figures corre sponding with the position of the letters in the alphabet in such a manner that any subdivisions of the alphabet may be employed, for simple or complex filing units, without material change, and the indexing will positively lead to the exact drawer and folder, and position in the latter, with the least mental efiort and consequent greater freedom from mistake. The invention is fully described in connection with the accompanying drawing, and the novel features are pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 indicates a four drawer filing cabinet indexed both alphabetically and numerically according to my improved system.

, Fig. 2 indicates part of the guides and folders of one of the drawers, exemplifying my improved index marking.

Fig. 3 indicates how a letter may be marked to insure accurate and rapid filing under my system. 7

Numerical indexing has been recognized heretofore as assisting in preventing and detecting mistakes, but the arbitrary numbers employed necessitate a constant reference to a table or the memorizing of a great many arbitrary figures with the consequent danger of mistake; and where a change to a different sub-division of the alphabet is necessitated by increasing files, involves a complete rearrangement and renumbering, making any previous memorizing useless.

' My improved numerical system involves the use of only twenty-six numbers, the number of letters in the alphabet, which may be easily and accurately memorized, as each number corresponds with the position of the letter it represents in the regular sequence of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1917.

Serial No. 153,588.

the alphabet; as A would have the number 1, B the number 2, etc., to Z the number 26. The numbers always represent their corresponding letter, and their arrangement, as hereinafter more fully described, indicates the drawer guide folder, and position in the latter, which must correspond with the alphabetical index where employed, the two acting as checks upon one another. The numbers, being more quickly read, add to the speed and accuracy of filing.

In the drawings a four drawer filing cabinet 1s shown, having a simple division of the alphabet, the top drawer holding all letters from A to E inclusive, the second drawer F to K inclusive, the third drawer L to Q inclusive and the last drawer It to Z inclusive. These letters may appear on the drawer in connection with my numerical marking, or the latter may be used alone, the double use however forming a check to prevent errors. In addition to the letters on the drawers I place numbers corresponding with the position of the letters in their order in the alphabet, the top drawer having 1 to 5, the second drawer 6 to 11, the third drawer 12 to 17, and the last drawer 18 to 26. VVithin these drawers appear guides and folders, as usual, or the guides may be omitted in a small file. Any sub-division of the letters in the different drawers may be used as the requirements warrant, but whatever number is determined, a dual or my numerical system alone of indexing the folders, and guides where employed, is used. And in order to distinguish the numbers corresponding with the letters employed, I preferably separate the numbers by a dash as shown, as indicated in Fig. 2 which shows a guide De to Dq having the corresponding numerical marking l5 to 117. Behind this guide may appear a number of folders, varying as the requirements call for, each folder having an index marking on its tab, as shown. In the drawing I have shown two folders, the first marked De to Dn, 4 5 to 4-H, and the second Do to Dq, 1-15 to l17. Additional folders may be readily added to in clude further sub-divisions of the guide index De to Dq, the numerical marking corre sponding without any change in the twentysix numbers originally employed.

Fig. 3 indicates a letter to be filed, ad-

dressed to John Doe, from Richard Roe. In Richard Roes file the letter would be filed under the name Doe, John. In a file utilizing the first two letters of the name for filing, the marking would be -l15, and when three letters of a name are used in larger sub-division the marking would be l155. This would indicate, in the filing cabinet shown in Fig. 1, the first drawer, which includes all numbers between 1 and 5. VVithin said drawer, as shown in Fig. 2, would appear a guide marked 4-5 to 417, and as this includes the number 415, the proper folder would be found behind this guide. Behind this guide are twofolders, the one marked 4-5 to 4.14, and the second, 4L15 to 47-26, so that the proper folder Would be the second one. Where three letters of a name are used in the sub-divisions, the additional marking 5, would be used in this name Doe. And where a number of Does appear, to distinguish them by their first name, the letter J can be indicated by its corresponding number 10. As shown I prefer to separate this additional letter by a diagonal line to indicate its representation, thus John Doe would be numerically expressed, 4.15/10, or using three letters 4155/10, the figure 10 indicating the tenth place in the folder after the previous indication 15. Thus if there were a John Doe and a William Doe, and a Abraham Doe the markings would be 4L-15/10, &15/23 and415/1, which would at once place them in the proper position in the folder 4 -15 to 4-426. This idea can be carried on to include towns or States, so that John Doe, New York, and John Doe, 0hr cago could be clearly marked, as l-15/10- 14 and 415/103, the last marking indicating the place. Any modifications or additions may be readily devised, the orignial twenty-six numbers always representing their corresponding letters, and their combination the information desired.

My invention is thus seen to be elastic to include any variety of filing without involving any change in the original numbers, their combination indicating the particular details of the filing required. I find it preferable, but not necessary, to have the first number represent the first letter of the name under which to file, the second number representing the second letter, etc., and the first number after the diagonal line the first letter of the sur-name, and any additional numbers the place, etc.

In Fig. 3 I have indicated how a letter maybe marked, at the upper right hand corner, to facilitate accurate filing. As

shown, both alphabetical and numerical markings are indicated, which check each .other to prevent mistakes, but the numerical marking shown is for filing by Richard Doe. The marking for John Doe, who received the letter, would be 1815/18.

It will readily be seen that my system i capable of any variety of indexing and capable of any expansion under the latter without involving any change in the original numbers. Guides and foldersmay be added as required or desired and marked by the numbers corresponding with their alphabetical division. The numbers appearing upon the tabs, corresponding with the sub-division of the alphabet, when used, check the latter, and any misplaced file may be readily detected, it being Well known that a misplaced number is more readily detected than a misplacedletter.

The particular showing and marking indicated and described may be varied to suit any requirements, and other sub-divisions of names or places devised as best suit the requirements. And this system is equally applicable to correspondence, bills, or any similar or related matters to be filed.

What I claim is V 1. In an alphabetical filing system, a folder having as an indicating mark a letter of the alphabet and a numerical marking, said numerical marking being the figure of the position of its corresponding al phabetical marking in the latters order in the alphabet.

2. In an alphabetical filing system, a folder having a numerical marking comprising figures corresponding with the position in the alphabet of determined letters, the figures being separated to indicate theseveral represented letters. a l

3. In an alphabetical filing system, a folder having as an indicating mark letters indicating a sub-division of the alphabet and figures corresponding with the positions of said letters in the alphabet, said figures being separated to indicate the several represented letters. p

4:. An alphabetical filing system having guides, and folders associated therewith,

both bearing indicating marks and the range indicated on said guides being greater than the range indicated on any'associated folder and said indicating marks comprising letters indicating subdivisions of the alphabet and figures corresponding with the positions of said letters in the alphabet, said figures being separated to indicate the several represented letters.

5. An alphabetical filing system for correspondence or the like comprising .aseries of filing folders, papers for filing in said folders bearing an indicating mark comprising figures corresponding with the position in the alphabet of determined letters, the latter being separated to indicate the sev eral represented letters.

6. An alphabetical filing system for corresented letters, and an additional figure inspondence or the like comprising a series of dicating an additional corresponding letter, filing folders, papers for filing in said folders the latter being further separated from the 10 bearing an indicating mark comprising figfirst figures.

5 ures corresponding With the position in the In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

alphabet of determined letters, the latter being separated to indicate the several repre- WILLIAM WHITMAN.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patento, Washington, D. 0. 

